Gates of Somae

Historical Overview

As one of the oldest, largest, and most significant cities in Anhara, Somae has undergone many changes throughout its history. The gates of the city are helpful for tracking its many phases as well as landmarks used by its residents to get around. Many also function to restrict crowds or access to certain areas of the city.

Bahb Ewo

The Bahb Ewo, Tahati for Open Gate, is the northern gate into the city, which first brings visitors into Tahawayt (Little Tahat). Unpopular with many Anharans due to the restrictions around entry and the uncomfortable feeling of passing through the Tahati quarter, it is often avoided. By ancient decree, the gate must be always open, and no horses are allowed within the neighborhood.

"If traveling through the city via its northern gate - for whatever reason one may go through its foreign quarter - keep your head down in Qadakore. Bring trusted company, and keep your eyes on the road, while another watches the wagon. Bend your ear not towards the rabid words of streetside swindlers. Apply ahead if possible to secure a waiver, allowing merchants or men of good repute to bring horses through." - Merchants' Roadmap to the Eastmarches

The latter rule was made immediately after the Threshing, and has been slowly chipped away at. Anharans eventually received waivers to transit through on horseback or with carts, and now the rule restricts poorer Tahatis or visitors who are not in the know. Outside of the gate is a large complex of government-run stables, where horses and carts are stored until retrieved. To avoid this, many Tahati merchants are forced to contract with Anharans for transport through the district.

Hawkers Gate

The gate at the southern end of al-Hisar, the Hawkers Gate serves two purposes. First, it is to divide the residential al-Hisar from the hawking merchants of Qadakore. Secondly, it serves as a high point for the wealthy Tahati of the Oasis to fly their hawks from. A traditional sport amongst their people, who came from the oases east of the Julfar Savanna before the Threshing, their culture has since died out in al-Tahat but continues in Somae.
This gate, fully within Tahawayt, is constructed in a traditional Tahati style. It has two rounded, smooth sandstone towers, and an inset gate decorated with geometric designs.

Northern Gate

The Northern Gate was designed in a decorative and defensive manner, with the expectation al-Hisar would be cleared away, with this the main entrance to the city. No such grand design has come about. It now lays vacant, unused by all save a small group of guards. Buildings abut it on both sides, much of it has been stripped, and even its grand doors were removed and installed on two Tahati shops within Qadakore. It is now almost imperceivable to the public, just a doorway one passes through, separating the noise of Qadakore's merchants from the traffic of the Learned Path.

Parade Gate

The entrance to the Marching Grounds is given little attention by residents of Somae outside of the parading of troops or festivals. During those times, upwards of thousands flock through them to watch tournaments or the trooping of soldiers. It takes on a special character during periods of war. The last that occurred, during the Second Climbing War, the banners of hundreds of Thewisy vassals adorned the walls around the gate, as Lord Thewisy gathered his winds to the city - the Anharan term for summoning vassal armies, so-called for the wind whipping through their displayed banners.

Arch of the Winds

Separating the heart of the city, Rudroof, from the outer district of Paix, the Arch of the Winds commemorates the many Thewisy vassals wiped out during the Threshing. It is inscribed with the names of the fallen lords, knights, and known members of their household. The heralds of the Firmament Halls maintain banners atop the Arch with the arms of the fallen.

Western Gate

The Western Gate is the western entrance to the city, and the most frequently used. While little is west of Somae save swamps and zealots, most come towards the city from the north or east. Those coming from the north would rather enter here than into Tahawayt. It is most frequented by students, many of whom live in Student Union-run neighborhoods within Paix.

Chasegate

Also known as Northern Whoresgate, the Chasegate separates Paix from Beaurun. It is strictly guarded to prevent students from patronizing the ladies and taverns within, and guards frequently chase students away.

Chastegate

Also known as Southern Whoresgate, the Chastegate separates the Ashgrounds from Beaurun. Less well guarded against students than the north, this gate is used by Somae citizens - and sometimes the rather wealthy. It gets its name from the nearby Chantry of the Choir of Wild Birds. Once a militant order of brothers who fought heretics and beasts in Wildheath after the Fall of House Oeis, their numbers have declined over time. When not in Wildheath, many supposedly chaste brothers frequent Beaurun through this gate.

Watergate

The southwesternmost gate of Somae, the Watergate allows entrance to the docks from the west. Given its proximity to Farbay, the Litoric Islanders received permission to aid in the reconstruction of this gate and decorated it in an Islander style. Entrance to the city proper by this route is forbidden, rather one must have business in the docks. It thus sees the most cart and wagon traffic, which is generally restricted elsewhere in the city.

Starry Arch

A monumental arch marking the entrance to the eastern neighborhoods of the Rudroof - less exclusive than Highgrove. Once the site of an ancient arch from before the Threshing War, it has been restored and rebuilt, bearing decorative carvings of the constellations. Its proximity to the Aymlae (Festival Street), an Age of Legends route for harvest festivals, implies an ancient origin.

Zealots Gate

The Zealots Gate is the main entry from the docks into Haricourt and the Lion's Den. It is inscribed with murals of the Leone Crusade against House Oeis's remnants and their vassals, honoring Ava of the Lion.
Security is light here. Squires Street, where nobles and knights hunt for inns, is just outside the gate, making the scrambling squires and servants a frequent sight. Guards have long since stopped checking those who look the part.

Learners Gate

The Learned Path arrives at its gate, introducing those coming from the west to a view of the Azuretop as they step through. Just inside this gate is the Hall of Service, where those of little means or low literacy can come for free or discounted services from the Crimson Quill. Thus, guards here halt none but rabble-rousers.

Student, Professor, and Sage Arches

As the Learned Path enters Azuretop, leading to the Library of Somae, it passes under three grand arches. The first is the Students' Arch: carved with depictions of how the Academy sees those on their first steps to knowledge. Penitent, curious, and humble, students progress up the mountain of learning to the second arch.
The second, the Professors' Arch is carved with depictions of how the Academy sees those on their intermediate steps to knowledge. Confident, but still humble, the art shows professors still as students, but now more helpful to all, progressing up the mountain of learning to the third arch.
The last is the Sages' Arch, carved with depictions of how the Academy sees those on their final steps to knowledge. Meditative, still curious, and generous with their knowledge, the final step up the mountain of knowledge is that of the eternal student.

Fellowsgate

The eastern entrance to the city, and one of the most frequented, the Fellows Gate is named for its proximity to the Fellowood, where the professors of the Academy live. There has been a long back-and-forth over laws permitting carts to enter through this gate. The government may allow it to alleviate traffic elsewhere, but then again ban it at the behest of the Academy.

Courtesans Arch

The Courtesans Arch marks the entrance to the Collegians Copse from Azuretop. A decorative arch honoring the Book of the Courtesan, erected by those frequenters of the Collegians' Copse to spite those of the Philosophers' Grounds.

Type

Gatehouse

Parent Location

Somae